The character Rocket first appeared in a 1976 Marvel comic book, and was named after The Beatles song Rocky Raccoon.

Mr Cooper also voiced the role in the Avengers: Infinity War film and its upcoming sequel, Avengers: Endgame.

Actor Sean Gunn – brother of James – provided the motion capture performance for the character, while Rocket’s physical characteristics in the films are based on Oreo’s.

Tributes poured in for the raccoon on social media.

RIP Oreo, the wonderfilled trash panda who inspired Rocket’s look in Guardians of the Galaxy. Oreo has crossed the Rainbow Bridge at the grand ol’ raccoon age of 10 years. Rest in peace, sweet rabbit. pic.twitter.com/5zt5k1Wsoy